I’m trying to continue a circuit past the three way light. It goes like this
Power 3 way switch – 3 way switch – light – 2 wire circuit continues.
Not sure how to do this.
Steve

J_n47

can you please tell what software is used to draw the diagrams as shown

Dbthanner

If a 3-way switch is in the down position in one box, the other box is a dimmer switch that will not work. Why? If a 3-way switch is in the up position, the dimmer switch will turn on and off.

Rob J Gould

The dimmer switch will work if the 3 way is sending power to the common of the dimmer switch, (one traveller wire) however if power is on the other traveller (the down position on your switch) power is not travelling to the common point on your dimmer and the light will not work. Hope that helps

Biff-n-Sully

This happens if you have one of the traveler wires connected to the common screw instead of the common wire on one of the 3-way switches.

Al98899

Diagram #5 is invalid. It requires Switch #1 to be on in order for switch 2 to be operable. A real 3-way switch does not matter which state either switch is in.

Gary M

Is it okay to use the brass screws (travelers) interchangeably?
Can the brass screw on the ground screw side go to the brass screw on the black screw side?
What is the difference?

Biff-n-Sully

The “travelers” are interchangeable on standard 3-way switches. The brass screw that the electricity is going out of is determined by whether the switch is up or down. Up = one brass screw, down = the other brass screw.

M_b_m08

In your diagram, is the common screw on the top right of the switches? By the way don’t forget to ‘recode’ the white wire (to black) running to the second switch.

Biff-N-Sully

In the diagram, the common screw is the bottom right screw on both units.

Raymon Chacon

Why is switch on left side hsa a black wire and switch on right side has a white wire why not use a black wire all the way accross

The diagram is not invalid. This will work perfectly, and is referred to in the trade as a “broken 3 way” (not because it doesn’t work, but because the travelers are “broken” at the light box). The white wire is used going to the switch on the right because you want a black wire returning to feed the light. And when you are wiring switches, you are not required to tape the white wire. It is to be understood that a white wire spliced to a black one is not being used as a neutral (canadian electrical code 4-034 (2)).